[petesmart1]

I know it's unheard of but would it be possible for the PCPRO team to re-visit the review for the XPS630.

The reason I ask is because a lot (if not all) owners of this system, including myself, are experiencing "Jet engine in a wind tunnel" syndrome.
To explain, the system comes with nvidia's ESA software giving the owner the ability to change the case lights, alter the speed on internal fans and overclock on the fly. The problem surfaces when you alter either lights or fan speeds and results in the PCI cage and HD fans running at 100%. The main culprit looks like its the Master Input/Output board (a Dell proprietry part). A tempory work round has been found by the members of the Dell forum calling for the firmware of the MIO to be flashed with a known good copy. But to date nothing from Dell.

These problems have resulted in a few of the forum members to start up thier own web site (http://my630i.com) so they are able to exchange ideas and possible solutions without censorship, at least one person that I know of has already been banned from the (Dell) site!

All the above coupled with the fact that Dell are still advertising the system with LightFX2.0 when its not being shipped with it and it's unavailable to download is leaving a very sour taste. Dell are even using your review on the sales site!
_________________
XPS630
Q6600 (2.4 Ghz, 1066 FSB, 8MB cache)
3GB CRUCIAL DDR2 6400 800MHZ 4.4.4.12
640 GB (2x320GB) Serial ATA (7200 Rpm) Raid 0 Stripe
Single nVidia 8800 GTX
No overclocking at all.
Vista Ultimate

[devjonfos]

I second the re-visit of the review of the Dell XPS 630i. I'm one of the owners that has been stung by the "Jet engine in a wind tunnel" syndrome. Concorde 6-3-0 you are cleared for takeoff!

Dell definitely has "egg on their face". Check out the DCF thread, my blog, and the "rebel alliance" website.

The advertised but undelivered Light FX 2.0 and the ESA non-start, no-show are real examples of false advertising.

The front case fans going to 100% when using the supplied software has been the "last straw" for most new Dell XPS 630i owners.

We really need better technology press coverage of this issue.

Thanks in advance.

[petesmart1]

I posted about two and a half hours ago and thought I would pop back and see how it's being recieved.

One reply and 41 views. Seems a high number of views in such a short time.

This begs a couple of questions:
1. Is it the "PCPRO Recomendation" on Dell's sales site thats prompting people to come here and look for the review and maybe checkout the forum for posts?

2. What would be the editors view knowing that he is recomending a system that Dell is accepting orders for, building and shipping with known hardware defects?

It would be nice if some of the "viewers" would leave a comment or two.
_________________
XPS630
Q6600 (2.4 Ghz, 1066 FSB, 8MB cache)
3GB CRUCIAL DDR2 6400 800MHZ 4.4.4.12
640 GB (2x320GB) Serial ATA (7200 Rpm) Raid 0 Stripe
Single nVidia 8800 GTX
No overclocking at all.
Vista Ultimate

[SashaMuller]

Hi Pete (and devjonfos)

Thanks for bringing those issues to our attention. I've contacted Dell and asked them to give me a call regarding the LightFX 2.0/100% fan problems that you and, as I've read this morning, several other owners have experienced.

The moment I have something to report, I'll post it up in this thread.

Kind regards,
Sasha

[petesmart1]

Dear Sasha,

Thank you for taking the time to have a look at our situation. You may wish to know that in one of the responses we got from Dell they informed us that "Dell legal and public relations are crafting a response now. No eta on release", never a good sign!

Once again, thanky you for your time, I'll be waiting with anticipation for your reply.
_________________
XPS630
Q6600 (2.4 Ghz, 1066 FSB, 8MB cache)
3GB CRUCIAL DDR2 6400 800MHZ 4.4.4.12
640 GB (2x320GB) Serial ATA (7200 Rpm) Raid 0 Stripe
Single nVidia 8800 GTX
No overclocking at all.
Vista Ultimate

[djcypher]

I concur with the prior posts. Please revisit your review of the Dell XPS 630. There seem to be some issues with the Master I/O board that all owners of that system are experiencing.

There seem to be some major flaws with the XPS 630 that aren't evident until one "looks under the hood" a bit. Please do what you can to give a more thoughrough review of the system. Specifically in the areas of; ESA, Light FX 2.0, Fan Control, and a constantly blinking HDD light.

Many Thanks

[spiki]

I received my 630 on 8 April. I have been monitoring the Dell forums ever since just as a source of advice on tweaks etc, just something I usually do when I buy a new puter.

Anyway, just wanted to contribute here that I have had none of the problems referred to by the op. Granted I have not adjusted my fan speed for fear that I will get the wind tunnell; the other point being that I don't feel I need to. The system is stable and very quiet, although not silent and Ihave been able to change my lights to my preferred colour without any side effects. Of course, I don't have the Light FX software either.

I was wondering could these problems be a combination of bugged software and poor QA at the production stage, rushed testing, pressure to meet orders etc? I ordered mine on 17 March and took over three weeks to delivery.

Hope this helps in some way, although I too will be interested to hear Dell's reply.

[petesmart1]

Hi spiki, thanks for your reply.

Controlling the fan speed would be more important to a overclocker, as I'm sure you are aware when overclocking you produce heat and Dell are making a selling point out of the fact that they will cover any overclock as part of the warrenty.

If at any time you decide to either overclock or increase the fan speeds for another reason, maybe in the hight of the English summer, I would strongly advise you to make a back-up of your firmware in the nvidia controll panel before you do anything at all. Then all you would have to do is reload the firmware if you do get "Jet Engine in a wind tunnel syndrome".

Cheers.

Pete.
_________________
XPS630
Q6600 (2.4 Ghz, 1066 FSB, 8MB cache)
3GB CRUCIAL DDR2 6400 800MHZ 4.4.4.12
640 GB (2x320GB) Serial ATA (7200 Rpm) Raid 0 Stripe
Single nVidia 8800 GTX
No overclocking at all.
Vista Ultimate

[spiki]

Hey Pete

Good advice on the cooling. Haven't tried an OC yet - not really sure where to start and don't want to mess my system up but at the minute I don't feel I need to. I'm playing Bioshock and COD4 at full detail and getting very consistent fps (about 40-50 in Bio; 90 in COD4). The first game I bought after getting the 630 was Crysis and I was underwhelmed by it - graphics, gameplay the lot. SO I don't think OCing is necessary just now.

I may try an OC in the future and will take your advice. Would be nice though if Dell puts its hands up here and came up with a solution for all its 630 customers.

[petesmart1]

spiki,

I too am more than pleased with the games performance of the system, it's the fan issue that's driving me nuts.

It's still not clear weather it's the MIO or the software thats causing the problem and of course it could just as easily be both. You might like to know that when I checked nvidia's site I was shocked to find that the ESA software developed by nvidia was never meant to be used and does not support the 650i mobo. Something I'm sure dell was perfectly aware of before production even began!
_________________
XPS630
Q6600 (2.4 Ghz, 1066 FSB, 8MB cache)
3GB CRUCIAL DDR2 6400 800MHZ 4.4.4.12
640 GB (2x320GB) Serial ATA (7200 Rpm) Raid 0 Stripe
Single nVidia 8800 GTX
No overclocking at all.
Vista Ultimate

[spiki]

Pete

You are probably right. I had been weighing up my purchase of a new puter for about 6 months and opted for the Dell on the basis of the components, upgradability (not something usually associated with Dell), OCing, warranty and value for money. I don't like the idea of being taken for a mug and being sold old tech and tarted up with gimmicks that don't work. As I said earlier, for me personally, its been a positive experience but its the what ifs. I am not sure this is exclusive to Dell or its just a symptom of this industry (desire for the latest technology, computer culture and easy credit).

Dunno about you, but that Chillblast looks like a good bet...if only...

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/190026/chillblast-fusion-juggernaut.html

[devjonfos]

Thank you so much, Sasha!

If you do get Dell on the phone, could you ask them what it means to be ESA Certified?

ESA seems to be at the heart of this with the malfunctioning Master I/O Board and the NVIDIA Control Panel Performance Software.

NVIDIA's press release says, "In addition, the new Dell XPS 630 is the first commercially-available desktop PC to be ESA-certified."

Yet, NVIDIA's tech specs says the 650i SLI chipset, which the 630 uses, is not supported by ESA.

So, maybe a call to NVIDIA also?

There's also the Dell XPS 630 Press Release which touts ESA and LightFX.

[petesmart1]

@spiki, Yeh - if only!

@devjonfos,

Thanks for the links, very interesting lnfo - I could swear I could smell a farm yard whilst reading
As far as getting a reply from nvidia, I would be very supprised if one materialised, from what I hear nvidia always pass the buck onto the manufacturer of the board in which the chip set/gpu is installed implying there's nothing wrong with the chip so it must be the way it's been installed.

All we can do now, I suppose, is wait.
_________________
XPS630
Q6600 (2.4 Ghz, 1066 FSB, 8MB cache)
3GB CRUCIAL DDR2 6400 800MHZ 4.4.4.12
640 GB (2x320GB) Serial ATA (7200 Rpm) Raid 0 Stripe
Single nVidia 8800 GTX
No overclocking at all.
Vista Ultimate

[devjonfos]

Luke: You know, I think that R2-630 unit we bought may have been mis-marketed.

Uncle Owen: What makes you think that?

Luke: Well, I stumbled across a back-water website while I was cleaning him. He says that he belongs to someone named dav-Obi-bow Kenobi. I thought he might have meant old DavBow. Do you know what he's talking about?

Uncle Owen: Uh-uh.

Luke: I wonder if he's related to DavBow.

Uncle Owen: That website wizard is just a crazy old attorney. Now, tomorrow I want you to take that R2-630 unit to Anchorhead and have it's MIO firmware erased. That'll be the end of it. It belongs to us now.

Luke: But what if this dav-Obi-bow comes looking for him?

Uncle Owen: He won't. I don't think he exists anymore. He collapsed about the same time that his website peaked at 20 users, around the time your father left for the Imperial Corporation.

Luke: He knew my father?

Uncle Owen: I told you to forget it.

Complete text here: http://my630i.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=51

[petesmart1]

I thought an update was in order:

Dell has just issued thier latest "Fix" for the problem. It involves un-installing nvidis software, stripping down your system to get at a jumper on the MiO board and installing Dell software etc.
In essence, they are now saying that the XPS 630 should not be running nvidia software. This is rediculas. Below an extract from one of the posts on DCF:

"Now I am really confused about the whole purpose of ESA - what it seems now is that there is DELL ESA and nVidia ESA - I though the WHOLE point of ESA was that hardware and software would work together across manufacturers, platforms and software. I thought the whole point of ESA was standardization. What good is ESA if the ESA on the 630i is Dell only ESA?"

(thankyou davbow)

Dell are obviously looking for a scapegoat here and the prime candidate is nvidia!

By the way, Sasha, I don't suppose you've had any luck with a response from Dell/nvidia yet, have you?

Edit: Just noticed over 430 visits in 3 days, there must be quite a few owners/potential owners looking for answers too!
_________________
XPS630
Q6600 (2.4 Ghz, 1066 FSB, 8MB cache)
3GB CRUCIAL DDR2 6400 800MHZ 4.4.4.12
640 GB (2x320GB) Serial ATA (7200 Rpm) Raid 0 Stripe
Single nVidia 8800 GTX
No overclocking at all.
Vista Ultimate